An Explanation of the Winding Staircase.

By W. Bro. P.G. Vosser.

Presented to Camberley Lodge 5591

W.Bro. P.G. Vosser

And W.Bro. A. Duff

Past Masters of Mercury Lodge 4581

Fellowcraft LecturePage 1 FELLOWCRAFT LECTURE

My Brethren, the second section of the Fellowcraft’s Degree is, to a certain

extent, historical, and having reference to the origin of the institution, it viewsFreemasonry under two denominations; Operative and Speculative. These areseparately considered, and the principles upon which both are foundedparticularly explained. * Their affinity is pointed out by allegorical figures andtypical representations. In short, this section contains a store of valuableknowledge, founded upon sacred Masonic records, which is at once entertainingand instructive, and a fund of important information which has, from timeimmemorial, descended among Masons from one generation to another, by oraltradition. In the explanation of the symbolism of this degree are detailed someinteresting features relative to the building of the Temple of Solomon, and thework and usage among our ancient Brethren. In the course of which the mind isdrawn to the contemplation of Themes, Science, Industry and Philosophy.

By Operative Masonry we allude to a proper application of the useful

rules of Architecture, whereby a structure derives figure, strength, and beauty,whence will result in a due proportion and a just correspondence in all its parts.* It furnishes us with dwellings, and with convenient shelter from thevicissitudes and inclemencies of the seasons; and while it displays the effects ofhuman wisdom, as well in the choice as in the arrangement of the sundrymaterials of which an edifice is composed, it demonstrates that a fund ofScience and Industry is implanted in man for the best, most salutary, andbeneficent purposes. *

By speculative masonry we learn to subdue the passions, act upon the

square, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, and practice charity. Itis so far interwoven with religion as to lay us under obligation to pay thatrational homage to the Deity which at once constitutes our duty and ourhappiness. It leads the contemplative Mason to view, with reverence andadmiration, the glorious works of creation, and inspires him with the mostexalted ideas of the perfections of his divine creator. *Fellowcraft LecturePage 2 We work in Speculative Masonry, but our ancient Brethren worked in bothOperative And Speculative Masonry. They laboured at the construction of KingSolomon's Temple and many other sacred and Masonic edifices. They worked sixdays in the week, and rested upon the seventh day. * For in six days, Godcreated Heaven and Earth and rested upon the seventh day. The seventh,therefore, our ancient Brethren consecrated as a day of rest from their labours,thereby enjoying frequent opportunities to contemplate the glorious works ofcreation, and to adore their great Creator.

At the building of King Solomon's Temple there were employed 80,000

Fellowcraft Masons. On the evening of the sixth day their work was inspected,and all those who had proven themselves worthy by strict fidelity and attentionto their labours, were invested with certain mystic words, signs, and tokens thatwould enable them to gain admission to the middle chamber of the temple, andwe, my Brethren, are in possession of those same mystic words, signs, andtokens, as were our ancient Brethren, and we are now about to work our waythrough an outer porch, between two columns, up a flight of winding stairsconsisting of three, five, and seven steps, through an outer and an inner door, toa place representing the middle chamber of King Solomon's Temple. There toreceive instructions as to the wages due, the manner of payment, and theprecious jewels of a Fellowcraft Mason.

You are now at a place representing the outer porch of King Solomon'sTemple. On either hand are large columns or pillars. These represent thefamous columns that were set up at the outer porch of King Solomon's Temple.They were eighteen cubits in height, twelve in circumference, and four indiameter.

The column on the left is Boaz, and denotes in strength. The column onthe right is Jachin, and denotes to establish. Collectively, they refer to thatpassage of scripture which says: "In Strength, shall this, my house beEstablished." They were thus set up at the outer porch of King Solomon'sTemple as a constant reminder to the children of Israel of God's promise toFellowcraft LecturePage 3David.*

They were cast of molten brass in the clay grounds on the west bankof the river Jordan, between the cities of Succoth and Zaradatha, where KingSolomon ordered that they, as well as all the Holy Vessels of the Temple shouldbe cast. They were cast hollow, that being able to withstand inundation andconflagration, they might prove convenient receptacles for the archives of ourancient Brethren. *

These columns are adorned with chapiters. The chapiters are

ornamented with network, lilywork, and chains of pomegranates.* The network,from the intimate connections of all its parts, denotes unity. What of Unity?That as brothers, we are linked together by an indissoluble chain of friendship.*The lily, from the extreme whiteness of its blossom as well as the retiredsituation of its growth, denotes peace. The emblem of peace teaches us that,here on this broad platform of brotherly love, the high and the low, the rich andthe poor, can meet together with one common purpose: the perpetuation of eachother's friendship and each other's love.* And the Pomegranate, from theexuberance of its seeds, denotes plenty. What of Plenty? Though it may be givento some to possess more of this world's goods than others, yet the man who hashis strength, his health, his ambition, has indeed his plenty.

*These chapiters are surmounted by globes. The globes are two

artificial spherical bodies, on the convex surfaces of which are represented thecountries, seas, and various parts of the Earth; the face of the heavens, theplanetary revolutions, and other particulars. The sphere with the parts of theEarth delineated on its surface is called the Terrestrial Globe, and that with theconstellations and other heavenly bodies, the Celestial Globe. Their principaluse, besides serving as maps to distinguish the outer parts of the Earth and thesituation of the fixed stars, is to illustrate and explain the phenomena arisingfrom the annual revolution of the Earth around the Sun, and the diurnalrotation of the Earth around its own axis They are invaluable instruments forimproving the mind and giving it the most distinct idea of any problem orproposition, as well as enabling it to solve the same. *Contemplating thesebodies, we are inspired with a due reverence for The Deity and His works, andFellowcraft LecturePage 4the extensiveness which they illustrate denotes the universality of Freemasonry;for in every climate where civilization exists, Freemasonry may be found; and aMason's charity should be as boundless.

My Brethren, as candidates for the mysteries of Freemasonry, you

may well be said to represent individuals just starting out in life's journey, withthe great task of self-improvement lying out before you. For the faithfulperformance of which a reward is offered, which reward comes from a carefuldevelopment of all your mental and moral faculties, the elevation of yourcharacter, and the attainment of knowledge.*

This is most beautifully symbolized by the representation of a flight

of winding stairs, at whose base you are now ready to climb the toilsome steep.From whose summit shines that hieroglyphic light which none but craftsmenever saw. An emblem of divine truth*

Before you are three steps. The three steps refer to the three degreesof Masonry.* The Entered Apprentice, The Fellowcraft, and the Master Mason.*And the three principal officers of the lodge, the Worshipful Master, The SeniorWarden, and the Junior Warden.* Also the working tools of the FellowcraftMason, the Plumb, Square, and the Level.

The Plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations

before God and man, squaring our actions by the square of virtue; and the level,to ever remembering that we are travelling upon that level of time, to thatundiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns.* Too, they remindus of the three stages of human life: youth, manhood, and age,* In youth, asEntered Apprentice Masons, we ought industriously to occupy our minds in theattainment of useful knowledge. In manhood, as Fellowcraft Masons, we shouldapply our knowledge to the discharge of our respective duties to God, ourcountry, our neighbours, our families, and ourselves; so that, in age, as MasterMasons, we may enjoy the happy reflections consequent on a well-spent life,'and die in the hope of a glorious immortality beyond the grave. Though theEarth pass away, the1 Sun be burned to a cinder, and all Nature don sackclothand ashes, the soul will live on and on, forever and forever. We take these threeFellowcraft LecturePage 5steps.* Before you are five steps. The five steps refer to the five orders inArchitecture. By order in Architecture is meant a system of all the members,proportions, and ornaments of columns and pilasters. Or, it is a regulararrangement of the projecting parts of a building, which, united with those of acolumn, form a beautiful, perfect, and complete whole. From the first formationof society order in Architecture may be traced. When the rigor of seasons obligedmen to contrive shelter 'from the inclemency of the weather, we learn that theyfirst planted trees on end, and then laid others across to support a covering. Thebands which connected those trees at top and bottom are said to have given riseto the idea of the base and capital of pillars, and from this simple hint originallyproceeded the more improved art of Architecture.

The five orders are thus classed: *The Tuscan; *The Doric; *TheIonic; *The Corinthian; *and The Composite. The ancient and original orders ofArchitecture revered by Masons are no more than three - the Ionic, Doric, andCorinthian, which were invented by the Greeks. To these the Romans haveadded two; The Tuscan, which they made plainer than the Doric, and theComposite which was more ornamental, if not more beautiful, than theCorinthian. The first three orders alone, however, show invention and particularcharacter, and essentially differ from each other; the two others having nothingbut what is borrowed, and differ only accidentally. The Tuscan is the Doric in itsearliest state, and the Composite is the Corinthian, enriched with the Ionic. Tothe Greeks, therefore, and not to the Romans are we indebted for what is great,judicious, and distinct in Architecture.*

They are also emblematic of wisdom, strength, and beauty. The

Ionic, from the skill and ingenuity displayed in its construction, is emblematic ofthe column of Wisdom, which is situated in the East part of the lodge, and isrepresented by the Worshipful Master; the Doric, from the massive strength ofits structure, is emblematic of the column of Strength, which is situated in theWest part of the lodge, and is represented by the Senior Warden; and theCorinthian, from the exuberance of its ornaments, is emblematic of the columnof Beauty, which is situated in the South part of the lodge, and is represented by

Fellowcraft LecturePage 6the Junior Warden.*

They also refer to the five senses of human nature; Hearing,*

Seeing,* Feeling,* Smelling,* and Tasting. Hearing is that sense by which wedistinguish sounds, and are capable of enjoying all the agreeable charms ofmusic. By it we are enabled to enjoy the pleasures of society and reciprocally tocommunicate to each other our thoughts and intentions, our purposes anddesires, while thus our reason is capable of exerting its utmost power andenergy.

The wise and beneficent author of nature intended, by the

formation of this sense, that we should be social creatures, and receive thegreatest and most important part of our knowledge by the information of others.For these purposes we are endowed with hearing, that by a proper exertion ofour rational powers, our happiness may be complete. *

Seeing is that sense by which we distinguish objects, and, in an

instant of time, without change of place or situation, view armies in battle array,figures of the most stately structure, and all the agreeable variety displayed inthe landscape of nature. By this sense we find our way on the pathless ocean,traverse the Globe of the Earth, determine its figure and dimensions, anddelineate any region or quarter of it. By it we measure the planetary orbs andmake new discoveries in the sphere of the fixed stars. Nay, more; by it weperceive the tempers and dispositions, the passions and affections of our fellowcreatures when they wish most to conceal them; so that, though the tongue maybe taught to lie and dissemble, the countenance would display the hypocrisy tothe discerning eye. In fine, the rays of light which minister to this sense are themost astonishing part of creation, and render the eye a peculiar object ofadmiration. Of all the faculties, sight is the noblest. The structure of the eye andits appurtenances evince the admirable contrivance of nature for performing allits various external and internal motions, while the variety displayed in the eyesof different animals, suited to their several ways of life, clearly demonstrates thisorgan to be the masterpiece of Nature's work.*

Fellowcraft LecturePage 7 Feeling is that sense by which we distinguish the different qualitiesof bodies, such as heat and cold, hardness and softness, roughness andsmoothness, figure, solidity, motion, and extension. These three senses havealways been deemed peculiarly essential among Masons, because by hearing wehear the word. By seeing, we see the sign; and by feeling we feel the grip ortoken. We take these five steps.*

Before you are seven steps. The seven steps allude to the sevenyears in the building of King Solomon's Temple, the seven years of famine andthe seven years of plenty.* But they have special reference to the seven liberalarts and sciences; Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Astronomy, Geometry,and Music.*

Grammar teaches us the proper arrangement of words according to the idiom

or dialect of any particular people, and that excellency of pronunciation whichenables us to speak or write a language with accuracy agreeably to reason andcorrect usage.*

Rhetoric teaches us to speak copiously and fluently on any

subject, not merely with propriety alone, but with all the advantage of force andelegance, wisely contriving to captivate the hearer by strength of argument andbeauty of expression, whether it be to entreat or exhort, to admonish orapplaud.*

Logic teaches us to guide our reason discretionally in the general

knowledge of things, and directs our inquiries after truth. It consists of a regulartrain of argument, whence we infer, deduce, and conclude, according to certainpremises laid down, admitted or granted; and in it are employed the faculties ofconceiving, judging, reasoning, and disposing; all of which are naturally led onfrom one gradation to another 'til the point in question is finally determined. *

Arithmetic teaches us the powers and properties of numbers

which are variously affected by letters, tables, figures, and instruments. By thisart, reasons and demonstrations are given, for finding out any certain numberFellowcraft LecturePage 8whose relation or affinity to another is already known or discovered. * Astronomy is that divine art by which we are taught to read theWisdom, Strength, and Beauty of the Almighty Creator in those sacred pages,the Celestial Hemispheres. Assisted by Astronomy we can observe themagnitudes and calculate the periods and eclipses of the heavenly bodies. By itwe learn the use of the globes, the system of the world, and the preliminary lawsof nature. While we are employed in the study of this science, we must perceiveunparalleled instances of wisdom and goodness; and through the wholecreation, trace the glorious Author by his works . *

Geometry teaches us of the powers and properties of

magnitudes in general, where length, breadth, and thickness are considered.From a point to a line, from a line to a surface, and from a surface to a solid. Apoint is a dimensionless figure, or an indivisible part of space. A line is a pointcontinued, and a figure of one capacity, namely length. A surface is a figure oftwo dimensions, length and breadth, and a solid is a figure of three dimensions,length, breadth, and thickness.

It is the science of the seven liberal arts and sciences which hasever been held in highest esteem and regard among Masons.* By this sciencethe Architect is enabled to construct his plans and execute his designs.* TheGeneral, to arrange his troops.* The Engineer to mark out grounds forencampment* By it, also the Astronomer is enabled to make his observationsand to fix the duration of the time and seasons and all things therein contained.The Geographer to delineate the extent of the seas, and specify the divisions ofthe empires, kingdoms, and provinces.* In short, Geometry is the foundation ofArchitecture, the root of Mathematics, and the basis upon which thesuperstructure of Freemasonry has been erected.*

Music is the medium that gives the natural world communion withthe spiritual.* Who has not felt its charm? Who has not had his soul thrilledwith its message? With its caressing tenderness it lulls us to sleep. With itspowerful harmony it rouses us to action. It wraps us in melancholy or elevatesus in joy.* The glorious notes of the battle hymn float over the red field ofFellowcraft LecturePage 9carnage. Thrilled by the soul-inspiring notes, brave men dash forward to theglorious charge and with a cheer that strikes terror to the heart of the foe,regardless of danger, unmindful of death, across the plain incarnadined with theblood of patriots, rush on and on, perhaps to victory, perhaps to death.* Butstop! Yonder, the dying soldier raises his head, his life's blood is fast ebbingaway, and with eyes already dimming with approaching death, he takes one lastlook on life, and a smile comes o'er his face as he seems to catch in the distancethat plaintive strain "Home Sweet Home." It was our mother's evening hymn andagain we kneel at her knee to lisp the evening prayer and again our ears catchher lullaby as she sings to her tired child the soft, low music of our childhood'shappy days.

The mellowing tides of old cathedral airs, vibrating through aisles

and arches have stilled the ruffled spirit, and sweeping aside the discordantpassions of men, have borne them along its resistless current until their unitedvoices have joined in sounding aloud the heaven-born anthem "Peace on Earth,Good Will Toward Men", or with seraphic harmony, music pours forth hymns ofgratitude to the Creator of the universe.*And when at last the soul yearns for those unseen vistas beyond the span of thepresent hour, for that communion with God which is its highest life, music, thehandmaid of heaven, bears the spirit up and gives it a taste of immortality.*Bro. John Hastie to take candidate to East of JW Pedestal (with Deacons Wand).As PGV says “ We take these seven steps.”

This brings us to the outer door which we find strongly guarded by the JuniorWarden. We will rap and see if we can gain admission. Bro. J.H. GivesFellowcraft Sign and then taps wand on the floor (JW: Who Comes, Who Comes,Who Comes Here?) (SD: A Fellowcraft Freemason, on his way to the MiddleChamber of King Solomon’s Temple to receive his wages.) (JW: How does heexpect to gain admission?) (SD: By the Password) (JW: I demand it.) (SD:Shibboleth) (JW: How represented?) (SD: By a Sheaf of Wheat or an Ear of CornSituated at or near a Waterfall) (JW: What does it denote?) (SD: Plenty) (JW: Bywhom instituted?) (SD: By Jephthah, a Judge of Israel, in a war with theEphraimites. The Ephraimites had long been a stubborn and rebellious people

Fellowcraft LecturePage 10whom Jephthah had striven to subdue by mild and lenient measures, butwithout effect. They were highly incensed at Jephthah for not being called uponto fight and share in the rich spoils of the Ammonitish War, and gatheredtogether a mighty army, crossed the river Jordan, prepared to give Jephthahbattle. He, being apprised of their approach, called together the men of Israel,went forth, gave them battle, and put them to flight, and to make his victorymore complete, he stationed guards at the different passes along the river andsaid to them "If you see any strangers pass, demand of them the word(Shibboleth)," but the Ephraimites, being of a different tribe and tongue, called it(Sibboleth), which trifling defect proved them spies and cost them their lives.And there fell that day on the field of battle and at the different passes along thebanks of the river, forty and two thousand; after which Jephthah ruled in Israeluntil the end of his time, in all about six years. JW: Stands. (JW: The Passwordis right and your explanation is satisfactory. You have my permission to pass.)JH and can moves to SW pedestal. This brings us to the inner door which wefind more strongly guarded by the SW. We will rap and see if we can gainadmission. Bro. J.H. Gives Fellowcraft Sign and then taps wand on the floor (SW:Who Comes, Who Comes, Who Comes Here?) (SD: A Fellowcraft Freemason onhis way to the Middle Chamber of King Solomon’s Temple to receive his wages.)(SW: How does he expect to gain admission?) (SD: By a Word and a Token) (SW:I demand them) SW: Stands (SD: The W is Jachin and the Token is (gives thegrip) (SW: The Word and Token are right and you have my permission to pass tothe Middle Chamber of King Solomon’s Temple.

Bro J.H and Can return to lecturn and wait..

Craftsmen, you have made a symbolic journey through an outer

porch; between two columns; up a flight of winding stairs; through an outer andan inner door; to this place representing the middle chamber of King Solomon'sTemple; here to receive instructions as to the wages due, the manner ofpayment, and the "Precious Jewels" of a Fellowcraft Mason.* My Brethren, you are now within a place representing the middlechamber of King Solomon's Temple. It was there that our ancient Brethren hadtheir names recorded as faithful workers; it was there also that they received

Fellowcraft LecturePage 11their wages, consisting of Corn, Wine, and Oil, emblematical of Nourishment,Refreshment, and Joy. The wages of a Fellowcraft, being Corn, Wine, and Oil,was to signify that our ancient Brethren, when passed to this degree, wereentitled to a remuneration sufficient to procure not only the necessities andcomforts of life, but many of its superfluities.

The "Precious Jewels" of a Fellowcraft Mason are the Attentive Ear,

the Instructive Tongue, and the Faithful Breast. The Attentive Ear emblemizingthe open and inquiring mind, seeking after truth and light. The InstructiveTongue symbolizing charity and benevolence, cheerfully dispensing theknowledge acquired for the benefit of mankind, and the Faithful Breast typifyinghonour and fidelity which holds sacred and inviolate the confidence and trust ofothers, are indeed three "Precious Jewels" to be sought for and possessed by anyman.

They are especially significant to you as a Fellowcraft Mason in

that it has been by them that the sublime tenets of Freemasonry have beenhanded down through the centuries. For through all the darkness, ignorance,and superstition of the ages since our institution was established; through allthe tempests and storms of life; through evil as well as good reports; theattentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue, and the secrets andprinciples of Freemasonry have ever been lodged in the repository of the Faithfulbreast.

You have also been admitted to this place by virtue of the letter"G", the initial letter of Geometry, the first and noblest of the sciences. Yet, myBrethren, while we utilize and apply the principles of Geometry, as did ourancient Brethren, there is a vast difference in the structure upon which you areat labour. You, who are for the first time admitted within the walls of this MiddleChamber, should consider well that, as a Fellowcraft Mason, you are the builderof a temple far more glorious than that of Solomon; a Temple of Honour, ofJustice, of Purity, of Knowledge, and of Truth.

The same law of Geometrical proportions that taught our

Fellowcraft LecturePage 12ancient Brethren to shape and fashion with all their skill, the stones which theyso beautified for their appointed places in King Solomon's Temple, has beenhanded down the ages to inspire you to adorn, with every gift and talent youpossess, the priceless days that go into the temple of your life; that there maynot be one neglected moment nor wasted opportunity to mar its fair whitenessand beauty, when it shall undergo the final inspection by the Master Architectwho directs all.

Freemasonry, my Brethren, is not merely the wearing of a Masonic

emblem, nor the boastful parading of an unearned Masonic distinction. Neitheris it the mastery of a few secret grips, words, and phrases. It is a course ofallegorical instructions, in simple but lofty principles, and the preparation forlife's real journey.

Bro. JH and Can move to beneath ‘G’.

Yet, my Brethren, as you pursue this, your true Masonicpilgrimage, and press forward into the unknown, mysterious future, alwaysshining on your path, stands the letter "G", an encouraging beacon calling youonward and upward, urging you not to tarry at the outer porch of life's journey,but guided by its inspiring light, to climb, with unfaltering steps, the windingstairway of persistent endeavour to your loftiest ambitions. Then, by the pass ofknowledge, and the token of true manhood, you shall gain admission throughthe outer and inner doors of discouragement and disappointment, and stand atlast in the Middle Chamber of final achievement - where your reward as afaithful craftsman will be far more precious than the Corn, Wine, and Oil of yourancient Brethren - in that it will be the joyful realization of your fondest hopes,your loftiest ideals, and your most perfect dreams.

By the aid of this eternal light, may you someday stand in

this wondrous Middle Chamber. May you someday know what it means to be aFellowcraft in the true sense of the word; to have your name recorded as afaithful workman in the Eternal Book of Life, and best of all, receive the wagesdue from the Great Master, of whom the letter ‘G’ is but the symbol. The GrandGeometrician of the Universe, the very mention of whose name shall cause everyMason, from the youngest Entered Apprentice who stands in the NortheastFellowcraft LecturePage 13corner of the lodge, to the Worshipful Master, who presides in the East, tohumbly, reverently, and devoutly bow.Brethren please rise with the sign of reverence ALL STAND. .(Master gives threeraps with the gavel) Brethren, that sacred name is ***.Master raps the gavel, seats the brethren. (Except Team).Bro.J.H and can move in front of WM pedestal.SD and Candidate approach the Holy Altar.

SD: "Worshipful Master, may I present to you, and through you to the brethrenpresent, a Fellowcraft Mason, who has made a symbolic journey through anouter porch, between two columns, up a flight of winding stairs, through anouter and an inner door, to a place representing the Middle Chamber of KingSolomon's Temple; there to receive instructions as to the wages due the mannerof payment, and the precious jewels of a Fellowcraft Mason; and having receivedsuch instruction, now awaits your pleasure."

WM: Being passed to the second degree of masonry, we congratulate you on